Family of Robert Langella, killed in Ingham’s Chicken workplace accident, pay tribute to beloved father and husband

The distraught family of a man killed by a truck at a chicken processing plant has bravely spoken of a father who “just knew how to make all of us laugh”.

Three weeks ago, 53-year-old Robert Langella was walking his youngest daughter down the aisle at her wedding.

Now the family of the Munno Para West man is struggling to come to terms with the news their father, husband and grandfather was killed after he was hit by a truck in a workplace accident at Burton.

Isabella, 27, and her father, Robert Langella, at her wedding on April 23. Picture: Supplied By Family

The Inghams truck hit Mr Langella about 8.20am on Monday.

Paramedics treated Mr Langella, an Ingham’s employee of 14 years, but he died at the scene.

SafeWork SA and police attended the scene to conduct investigations.

Mr Langella has left behind two daughters, Kayla, 31, and Isabella, 27, and son Franco, 29.

He also had a wife, Brenda, and a three-year-old grandchild, Amelia, whom he adored.

His emotional daughter, Kayla, paid tribute to her father, saying he brightened the room.

“He was so happy, my sister just got married three weeks ago, so he got to do that and he was so happy,” Ms Langella said.

“He was at the peak of his life.”

Mr Langella loved Port Adelaide Football Club, and West Ham United Football Club.

Ms Langella said she struggled with the thought of never being able to share a joke with her dad again.

“He just knew how to make all of us laugh … he just brightened the room,” she said.

“It could be the most silliest thing ever and he would make it funny.

“I just wished I called him the day before, I was going to and I didn’t. Just to tell him a joke.”

Franco and Isabella live in Melbourne, and flew to Adelaide to support their mother, nonno and nonna when they heard the news on Monday

They will plan a funeral for coming weeks.

Ms Langella said the family will hold memories of their father close, remembering him for his humour, and the love their big family shared.

A spokeswoman from Ingham’s Australia said they were deeply saddened by Mr Langella’s death.

She said the company was doing everything they could to assist Mr Langella’s family and would assist police and SafeWork with investigations.

“Ingham’s has arranged for on-site counselling services for our people,” the spokeswoman said.